Vintage Massive JUDITH LEIBER Monkey Necklace
By Judith Leiber
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive JUDITH LEIBER Monkey Necklace Measurements: Height: 7.08 inches (18 cm) Width: 3.18 inches (8.1 cm) Wearable Length: 21.06 inches (53....
When it comes to handbags, no designer can compete with Judith Leiber’s ability to create magic using opulent crystals and wildly imaginative and playful shapes. The Hungarian-born designer's lauded vintage minaudières (small, decorative handbags, often without handles or a strap) were made in the form of crystal-covered swans, cupcakes, lipstick, wads of cash, teddy bears and other delightful objects.
These dazzling objets d’art have been regularly seen in the hands of First Ladies, movie stars on the red carpet and even in the prestigious collections of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And like many pathbreaking inventions in the history of design, Leiber's purses and minaudières were the result of a happy accident.
In 1967, Leiber began working on her first metal handbag. The piece in question was named the Chatelaine, and the design was a graceful drop-shaped purse in gold-tinted metal. But when the samples came in, Leiber saw that the bottom of the bag looked greenish and discolored as a result of the plating process. She had the ingenious idea of applying crystal rhinestones to the base to cover up the flaws. The fabulous bag was a huge success and would become her trademark.
Born Judith Peto in Budapest, Leiber overcame many hardships before her breakthrough. At the start of World War II, she was working at the Pessl handbag company in Budapest where she quickly climbed the ranks to become a master craftswoman. When the war escalated, she and her Jewish family were forced by the Nazis to live in a cellar of a ghetto, and several of her relatives were killed in concentration camps.
“I designed handbags in my head to get through the misery,” Leiber said.
After the liberation of Budapest, she married Gerson “Gus” Leiber, an American GI, and moved to New York. In 1948, she began working for the fashion house Nettie Rosenstein. One of Leiber's first major pieces was the handbag embroidered with glittering rhinestones and pearls carried by Mamie Eisenhower at the 1953 inaugural ball. In 1963, she finally set up her own company.
Leiber’s whimsical designs embellished with Swarovski crystals and semiprecious stones defied traditional notions of luxury handbags. She also created striking clutches and bags with leather and fine textiles from around the world. In her 65-year career, she designed over 3,500 bags, which have been worn by First Ladies including Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush, pop icons like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner (who collects Judith Leiber bags).
In 2005, the Leiber Collection Museum opened in East Hampton, New York, as a permanent space to showcase her work. The minaudières remain coveted objects that are celebrated worldwide for their eclectic beauty and glamorous charm.
The value of a good handbag cannot be overstated — find vintage Judith Leiber shoulder bags, crossbody bags, sunglasses and other fashion accessories today on 1stDibs.
Vintage Massive JUDITH LEIBER Monkey Necklace
By Judith Leiber
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive JUDITH LEIBER Monkey Necklace Measurements: Height: 7.08 inches (18 cm) Width: 3.18 inches (8.1 cm) Wearable Length: 21.06 inches (53....
Natural Diamond Pendant 0.55 cts 18KT White Gold Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Embrace the brilliance of a true showstopper with this dazzling heart-shaped diamond cluster in a halo pendant necklace. The necklace boasts a sumptuous 0.55 carats of glittering dia...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Emerald Needle Pendant Necklace in 18 Karat Gold by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
This delicate 18-karat gold necklace features a natural needle-shaped Colombian emerald pendant on a 16-inch solid gold chain. The emerald is set with a cap and ring crafted in 18-k...
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Trio Necklace in 18 Karat Yellow Gold by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
Featuring our signature Paper texture on three tiny disc pendants, the trio necklace is crafted in solid 18-carat yellow gold. The pendants are strung on a delicate 16-inch 18-carat ...
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, B...
Opal, Sapphire and 18 Karat Gold Cluster Necklace by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
This delicate chain necklace in solid 18 karat gold features a central cluster of opal and sapphire briolettes. Arrayed on a fine hoop are three smooth Ethiopian opal briolettes of graduated size along with one faceted yellow sapphire briolette...
Opal, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Trio Necklace in 18 Karat Yellow Gold by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
Featuring our signature Paper texture on three tiny disc pendants, the trio necklace is crafted in solid 18-carat yellow gold. The pendants are strung on a delicate 16-inch 18-carat ...
18k Gold
Diamond Palm Pendant Necklace in Solid Gold by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
This delicate, sparkling pendant necklace features five white diamonds graduated in size to emphasise the organic, leaflike shape of the pendant. Each diamond is H color, VS1 clarit...
Diamond, Citrine, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, Tourmaline, Turquoise, Padpa...
Black Diamond Disc Flutter Necklace by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
This delicate necklace features a solid 9-carat gold disc accentuated with a rustic rosecut pear-shaped black diamond. The diamond and the disc hang independently from a fine 18-inch...
Black Diamond, 9k Gold
Split Disc Necklace in 18 Karat Yellow Gold by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
This classic disc pendant necklace crafted in solid 18-carat gold features our signature Paper texture combined with a rustic high-polish finish for the best of both worlds. The pen...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Coomi 20K Antique Coin Pendant Necklace with Diamonds
By Coomi
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Hand made Coomi antique pendant set in 20K yellow gold with indo-Greek center coin and 0.05cts rose cut diamond accents on paisley-shaped bale. Com...
White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Bronze
Solid Gold Spear Pendant with White Diamonds by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
This spear-shaped pendant is crafted in 9-carat yellow gold accented with two white diamonds and strung on a fine 16-inch gold chain. The total diamond carat weight is 0.016 carats o...
White Diamond, 9k Gold, Gold
Bull Ancient Silver Coin 18 Karat Ruby Citrine Cabochon Medallion
By DUBINI
Located in London, GB
This DUBINI coin necklace from the 'Empires' collection features authentic silver coin minted in Lucania circa 530-510 B.C. set in 18K gold with double-set ruby and citrine cabochons. DEPICTED ON THE COIN Obverse: Bull standing left, head right; VM in exergue. Reverse: Incuse bull standing right, head left. HISTORY The coin of Sybaris...
Citrine, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 10k Gold Chain 18k Coin Pendant Necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Materials: 10k Gold, 18k Gold Weight: Chain - 8.4 Grams, Pendant - 14.6 Grams Measurement: Pendant - 1" Chain - 13" Hallmarks: 18K ITEM DETAILS: This vintage necklace features ...
10k Gold, 18k Gold
Judith Leiber Gold Skinny Stretch Waist Belt
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
Product Details: Gold skinny stretchy waist belt by Judith Leiber. Rhinestone-embellished clasp closure at front. 25" length. Condition: Pre-owned. Very good. Little to no signs of ...
Judith Leiber Gold Drop Necklace with Purse Charms
By Judith Leiber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This Judith Leiber drop necklace has a thick chain with small coin purse charms all around. It is in excellent condition with minimal wear. Measurements...
Goldtone Judith Leiber Purse Necklace
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
Goldtone purse charm necklace by Judith Leiber. Twist-lock purse charm. Clasp closure.
Judith Leiber Unique Foo Dog Brooch Pendant Necklace ca 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in University City, MO
Judith Leiber Unique foo dog brooch / pendant necklace The versatile design transitions from an exotic brooch depicting an ornate gilt metal foo dog's...
Judith Leiber Vintage 1970s 70s Signed Etruscan Statment Necklace
By Judith Leiber
Located in Sparks, NV
Phenomenal oversized Etruscan gilded statement necklace by Judith Leiber. The necklace is made up of six hinged pieces and is finished by "fringe" at the bottom of the piece. It is s...
JUDITH LEIBER Goldtone Chain Link Medallion Necklace
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
JUDITH LEIBER Goldtone Chain Link Medallion Necklace Materials: goldtone metal. Features four strand goldtone chainlink necklace with oversized paneled medallion. Slide lock closur...